An independent review of traffic measures for the new Largs Campus has been published.
Largs Community Council say that they will work with local residents in submitting a response, after various concerns were raised at last Thursday’s council meeting.
WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff has been commissioned to undertake the independent review,
A proposal brought forward by local residents to introduce a one-way traffic system in the vicinity of the school has also been reviewed.
The report stated: “The site is expected to result in localised increases in traffic for approximately two half-hour periods per day during the week. In total, the school will be closed to primary and secondary school pupils for 13 weeks per calendar year, equivalent to 25% of all weekdays. The proposed one-way solution would inconvenience local drivers at all times and increase total vehicle kilometres on the local residential streets.”
The main pedestrian access routes will be taken from Alexander Avenue, either side of the main vehicular access junction; as well as adjacent to the school bus access junction. In addition, the access route from the south connects onto the existing footpath linking onto Holehouse Court.
The consultant stated: “”It is recommended that physical segregation is provided at the school bus access junction to mitigate any potential conflicts between pedestrian and turning buses. The footway widths should be appropriate to the level of pedestrians movements predicted to avoid the potential for pedestrians to be forced to use the carriageway.”
“It was noted that vehicle drivers routinely park their vehicles on the footway on Alexander Avenue, and surrounding streets.”
A package of traffic management measures to reduce traffic speeds in the vicinity of the site are proposed including the creation of a 20 mph zone on a section of Alexander Avenue, and a Toucan crossing - a pedestrian crossing that also allows bicycles to be ridden across..
A proposed upgraded path between Moorburn Road and Alexander Avenue, via the recreation ground of Surrey Glen is also proposed. There will be a review of on-street parking ‘once the site becomes operational’ with ‘measures to restrict footway parking.’
There will be a provision of 200 cycle spaces at the campus for pupils.
A dedicated school bus access is proposed via a new junction to be taken from Alexander Avenue. Access will be restricted to school buses only, with entry controlled by an automatic barrier system. Provision for waiting of up to six school buses / coaches will be provided within a pupil drop off lay-by.
The report states: “Loading and unloading of pupils from one side of the access road only will remove any requirement for pupils to cross the access road and reduce potential conflicts between vehicles and children.”